Petrov urges Villa to name new boss

Stiliyan Petrov wants Aston Villa to appoint a new manager in time for players to be brought in before the transfer window closes next Tuesday.

Captain Petrov admits the Villa players are keen to discover who will be appointed as successor to Martin O'Neill. Reserve-team coach Kevin MacDonald is currently in the role on a caretaker basis.

Petrov said: "We would like to know who is going to take charge, who is going to be involved."

He added: "But there is now going to be a 10-day international break and we will see more clear things.

"It would be great to know who the new manager is. I hope he can be announced before the window closes so he can get some players in.

"Every manager has got his own ideas so it would be nice."

As they prepare for Sunday's home Barclays Premier League clash with Everton, Petrov believes it is important Villa bring in new blood.

He said: "You can see every other team is strengthening and I hope we can do that as well.

"We are a very small squad and, with the 25-man rule, it will make it even more difficult.

"We will see when the transfer window closes where we are going to end up."